Minister of Transport Joe Maswanganyi’s has appointment Chief Operations Officer (COO), Lindelwa Jabavu, as Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Road Accident Fund (RAF). with effect from 1 July, 2017.
Jabavu will serve until the process to employ a new CEO is finalised. This will guarantee that stability is maintained during the ushering in of a new compensation system under the Road Accident Benefit Scheme, thus ensuring productivity continues.
Jabavu takes over from Dr Eugen Watson whos term ended in June.
While Dr Watson’s five-year term is drawing to a close, his legacy will reverberate for years to come, as he has been pivotal in changing the trajectory of the organisation for the better. His initial mandate from the Board was to steer the organisation in a new strategic direction. Under his guidance, the RAF’s committed members of the Executive and staff have done just that and the organisation is now on the threshold of a new era, one which will see the introduction of a new dispensation which will benefit a far greater number of car crash victims said Dr Ntuthuko Bengu.
“With the Department of Transport’s (DoT) RABS Bill currently before Parliament, we will continue to support the DoT’s efforts to create a comprehensive social security safety net which will expand access of much needed benefits to road users previously and currently excluded by virtue of fault,” said Dr Bhengu.
The Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) Bill, which is now before Parliament, proposes a comprehensive social security safety net that is not fault-based. It will allow expanded access to much needed benefits to road users, especially lower income groups, public and private transport passengers, widows, orphans and other dependants, previously and currently excluded by virtue of fault. RABS will also provide pro-active assistance to crash victims and family members with the emphasis being on effective access to medical and vocational rehabilitation to improve victims’ chances of re-entering the employment sphere and mainstream economy.
Jabavu has extensive senior leadership and business management experience within the public sector. Prior to joining the RAF, she was the COO at the Office of the Auditor-General. Jabavu has also served as Executive Head for Corporate Services at the Independent Development Trust, providing strategic leadership to human resources, ICT, legal services, facilities and administration. Another strategic position she held was that of Head of Support Services at the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee.
The Acting CEO has the Board’s unequivocal support and looks forward to working with her in fortifying the solid operational and administrative base created by her predecessor, Dr Eugene Watson said Dr Bengu….
